Ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer

ABSTRACT

A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.

PRIORITY DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/639,987, filed on Mar. 5, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,643,462, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/284,273, filed on May 21, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,327,566, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 61/826,247, filed on May 22, 2013, 61/928,166,filed on Jan. 16, 2014, 61/948,487, filed on Mar. 5, 2014, and61/948,456, filed Mar. 5, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to trailer hitch devices,systems, and associated methods. Accordingly, the present inventioninvolves the mechanical arts field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When towing a trailer behind a vehicle, one factor that cansignificantly affect safety is the tongue weight or static downwardforce that the trailer applies to the hitch of the tow vehicle. If thetongue of the trailer does not apply enough downward force to the hitch,a dangerous condition called trailer sway could result. If the tongue ofthe trailer applies too much downward force to the hitch, then the reartires of the tow vehicle can be overloaded, thus pushing the rear of thevehicle around and compromising steering and/or braking of the towvehicle. A generally acceptable tongue weight for any trailer issomewhere between 9% and 15% of the gross trailer weight (GTW).Measuring tongue weight typically involves weighing the tongue weight ofthe trailer when decoupled from the tow vehicle, which can be timeconsuming and dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides trailer hitch devices,systems, and associated methods thereof. In one aspect, for example, aball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is provided. Such aball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured tocouple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include ahitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with avehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurementdevice associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of adownward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device caninclude a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and apressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitchball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affectinga pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitchball.

The present disclosure also provides a trailer tongue weight measuringportion of a ball mount. Such a trailer tongue weight measuring portioncan include a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of atrailer. The trailer tongue weight measuring portion can also include aload measurement device operable with the hitch ball to determine amagnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurementdevice can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposedtherein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with thereservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on thepiston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to thedownward force on the hitch ball.

The present disclosure additionally provides a method of measuringtongue weight of a trailer. Such a method can include obtaining a hitchreceiver associated with a vehicle. The method can also includeobtaining a trailer having a tongue for coupling the trailer to thevehicle. The method can further include obtaining a ball mount having aball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with the tongue ofthe trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with the hitch receiver,and a load measurement device associated with the ball portion todetermine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball, the loadmeasurement device including a reservoir having a fluid and a pistondisposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with thereservoir, wherein the hitch ball is configured to exert a force on thepiston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to thedownward force on the hitch ball. The method can still further includeengaging the tongue of the trailer with the hitch ball. Additionally,the method can include observing the magnitude of the downward force ona display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a trailer hitch system for measuring tongue weight ofa trailer, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic illustration of a ball mount and a hitchreceiver of the trailer hitch system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with another example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with yet another example of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with still another example of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with a further example of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with another example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with yet another example of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a ball portion of the ballmount of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10A is a top cross-sectional view of a vertical member of the ballmount of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10B is a rear cross-sectional view of the ball mount of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates the ball mount of FIG. 8 in a storage configuration,in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a ball mount with a brace in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a detail view of a coupling of the brace and a verticalmember of the ball mount of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

In describing and claiming the present invention, the followingterminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forthbelow.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and, “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “alittle above” or “a little below” the endpoint.

In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having”and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent lawand can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like, and are generallyinterpreted to be open ended terms. The terms “consisting of” or“consists of” are closed terms, and include only the components,structures, steps, or the like specifically listed in conjunction withsuch terms, as well as that which is in accordance with U.S. Patent law.“Consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” have themeaning generally ascribed to them by U.S. Patent law. In particular,such terms are generally closed terms, with the exception of allowinginclusion of additional items, materials, components, steps, orelements, that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics or function of the item(s) used in connection therewith.For example, trace elements present in a composition, but not affectingthe composition's nature or characteristics would be permissible ifpresent under the “consisting essentially of” language, even though notexpressly recited in a list of items following such terminology. Whenusing an open ended term, like “comprising” or “including,” it isunderstood that direct support should also be afforded to “consistingessentially of” language as well as “consisting of” language as ifstated explicitly and vice versa.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series ofsteps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarilythe only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of thestated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps notdescribed herein may possibly be added to the method.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation inother orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectlyconnected in an electrical or nonelectrical manner. Objects orstructures described herein as being “adjacent to” each other may be inphysical contact with each other, in close proximity to each other, orin the same general region or area as each other, as appropriate for thecontext in which the phrase is used. Occurrences of the phrase “in oneembodiment,” or “in one aspect,” herein do not necessarily all refer tothe same embodiment or aspect.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “alittle above” or “a little below” the endpoint. However, it is to beunderstood that even when the term “about” is used in the presentspecification in connection with a specific numerical value, thatsupport for the exact numerical value recited apart from the “about”terminology is also provided.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete ornearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property,state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is“substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completelyenclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree ofdeviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on thespecific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completionwill be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and totalcompletion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equallyapplicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the completeor near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state,structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is“substantially free of” particles would either completely lackparticles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect wouldbe the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, acomposition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element maystill actually contain such item as long as there is no measurableeffect thereof.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format.It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely forconvenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly toinclude not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limitsof the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values orsub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value andsub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical rangeof “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only theexplicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also includeindividual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus,included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as wellas 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. This same principle applies toranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum.Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of thebreadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

The Invention

With reference to FIG. 1, illustrated is a trailer hitch system 100 formeasuring tongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with an example ofthe present disclosure. The system 100 can include a hitch receiver 102associated with a vehicle 103 and a trailer 104 having a tongue 105 forcoupling the trailer to the vehicle. The system 100 can also include aball mount 101 configured to measure tongue weight of the trailer 104.

The ball mount 101 can include a hitch portion 110 for interfacing withthe hitch receiver 102. The hitch receiver 102 can be any typical hitchreceiver, such as a standard 2½″, 2″, or 1¼″ size square hitch receiver.The hitch portion can include a hole 112 or other suitable feature tofacilitate securing the ball mount 101 to the hitch receiver 102, suchas with a pin or threaded fastener through the hole 102 of the ballmount 101 and a hole 106 of the hitch receiver 102. The ball mount 101can also include a ball portion 120 for interfacing with a hitch ball107 configured to couple with the tongue 105 of the trailer 104. Theball portion 120 can include a coupling feature 121 configured to coupleto the hitch ball 107 in any suitable manner, such as with a threadedcoupling, a clearance hole for a threaded fastener, or other removablecoupling. In one aspect, the hitch ball 107 can be coupled to the ballportion 120 with a weld or other a permanent coupling.

The ball mount 101 can also include a load measurement device 130associated with the hitch portion 110. The load measurement device 130can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on thehitch ball 107 and, therefore, the tongue weight of the trailer 104. Itshould be recognized that any suitable load measurement device can beutilized. For example, the load measurement device 130 can comprise aload cell or transducer, such as a strain gage load cell, a mechanicalload cell, a hydraulic load cell, and/or a pneumatic load cell, or anyother suitable type of load cell. In one aspect, the load measurementdevice 130 can comprise an interface portion 131 configured to interfacewith the hitch receiver 102. For example, as shown in the figure, theinterface portion 131 can be located at a top side 113 of the hitchportion 110 to interface with an upper interior surface of the hitchreceiver 102.

In addition, the ball mount 101 can include a display 140 configured toindicate the magnitude of the downward force, as determined by the loadmeasurement device 130. In one aspect, the display 140 can be associatedwith the ball portion 120, as shown in the figure. The display 140 canbe any suitable type of display, such as an analog or a digital display.The display 140 can be coupled to the load measurement device 130 in anysuitable manner such that the display can properly indicate themagnitude of the load on the hitch ball 107. In one aspect, the displaycan be mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, and/or pneumaticallycoupled to the load measurement device 130. The load measurement device130 and/or the display 140 can therefore include any suitablemechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic device or mechanismthat can facilitate the determination and/or display of the magnitude ofthe load on the hitch ball 107. For example, the load measurement device130 and/or the display 140 can include a processor and/or memory todetermine the magnitude of the load on the hitch ball 107. In oneaspect, a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, can include aprocessor and/or memory used to determine the magnitude of the load onthe hitch ball 107, such as by executing an application. In anotheraspect, the display 140 can be calibrated to indicate the magnitude ofthe load on the hitch ball 107, based on mechanical, electrical,hydraulic, and/or pneumatic input from the load measurement device 130.In a particular aspect, therefore, the display 140 can be integral withthe load measurement device 130 in determining the magnitude of the loadon the hitch ball 107.

The ball mount can also include a transmitter 142 such that load datapertaining to the magnitude of the downward force on the hitch ball 107can be wired or wirelessly transmitted to the display 140. In oneaspect, the transmitter can transmit load data to a location remote fromthe ball hitch, such as to a remote display 141. For example, thedisplay 141 can be located inside the vehicle and can receive load datafor display to the driver or operator of the vehicle. The transmissionof load data can be via vehicle wiring, such as the taillight wiring,which can be utilized to communicate load data via a signal to theinterior of the vehicle. In another aspect, a wireless transmission ofload data can be accomplished via a Bluetooth connection, a cellularnetwork, LAN, WIFI, an RF signal, an infrared signal, or any othersuitable type of wireless network, connection, and/or protocol. In oneaspect, the display 141 can comprise a screen of a mobile device, suchas a smartphone or a tablet. Thus, the load data can be communicated toany suitable location, in or out of the vehicle. It should therefore berecognized that the display 140, 141 can be disposed in any suitablelocation and can be in communication with the load measurement device130 via any suitable means. In one aspect, the load measurement device130, the display 140, and/or the transmitter 150, or any other relateditem or device, such as a processor, memory, a battery, or a RFreceiver, can be located in or on the ball mount 101.

Although the trailer hitch system 100 includes what is generallyreferred to as a “ball mount” throughout the present disclosure forcoupling with a trailer, it should be recognized that the trailer hitchsystem can include any suitable form of coupling with a trailer, such asa lunette ring and pintle hook. Aspects of the present disclosure thatfacilitate measuring tongue weight of a trailer by utilizing aninteraction between a receiver hitch and a hitch portion can beincorporated into such coupling arrangements.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the ball mount 101 of FIG. 1inserted into the hitch receiver 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the ball mount101 is configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver 102 about afulcrum 150 in response to a downward force 151 on the hitch ball 107.The fulcrum 150 can be defined by an interface between a bottom side 114of the hitch portion 110 and the hitch receiver 102, such as a lowerinterior surface or outer edge of an opening. The pivoting of the ballmount 101 about the fulcrum 150 in direction 152 can cause the hitchportion 110 to move upward. The hitch receiver 102, such as an upperinterior surface 108, resists rotation of the hitch portion 110 indirection 152 about the fulcrum 150 by exerting a reaction force 153 onthe hitch portion 110, which induces a load, such as a force and/ormoment, on the hitch portion 110.

In one aspect, the load measurement device 130 can be configured todetermine a magnitude of the downward force 151 on the hitch ball 107based on the load or a portion or a component of the load on the hitchportion 110. For example, the load measurement device 130 can determinea magnitude of the force 153 exerted on the interface portion 131 of theload measurement device 130 by the hitch receiver 102. The magnitude ofthe downward force 151 on the hitch ball 107 can be determined using themagnitude of the force 153, a distance 154 between the hitch ball 107and the fulcrum 150, and a distance 155 between the interface portion131 of the load measurement device 130 and the fulcrum 150. The downwardforce 151 on the hitch ball 107 can therefore be determined using aninteraction or interface between the hitch portion 110 of the ball mount101 and the hitch receiver 102. It should be recognized that theinterface portion 131 of the load measurement device 130 can be locatedat any suitable location on the hitch portion 110 and configured tofacilitate contact of the interface portion 131 and the hitch receiver102 at any suitable location.

In one aspect, the hitch portion 110 can be configured to facilitate thepivoting action about the fulcrum 150, such as by having a taper at anangle 115 that tapers narrower toward the location of the interfaceportion 131 of the load measurement device 130 to provide a rotationalrange of motion for the hitch portion 110 within the hitch receiver 102.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 201 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with another example of thepresent disclosure, shown inserted into a hitch receiver 202. The ballmount 201 includes some similarities with the ball mount 101 of FIGS. 1and 2. For example, the ball mount 201 includes a hitch portion 210 forinterfacing with the hitch receiver 202 and a load measurement device230 associated with the hitch portion 210 and configured to determine amagnitude of a downward force 251 on a hitch ball 207.

In this case, the hitch portion 210 includes a fulcrum feature 216 on abottom side 214 of the hitch portion 210 configured to form a fulcrum250 by interfacing with the hitch receiver 202. The fulcrum feature 216can be defined by a protrusion from the hitch portion 210 to ensurecontact by the fulcrum feature 216 with the hitch receiver 202 such thatthe ball mount 201 rotates about the fulcrum feature 216. For example,the hitch portion 210 can be locally recessed on the bottom side 214 toform the fulcrum feature 216 and ensure that the bottom side 214 of thehitch portion 210 provides unencumbered rotation of the ball mount 201about the fulcrum feature 216 when engaged with the hitch receiver 202.In one aspect, the fulcrum feature 216 can be located at a knowndistance 254 from the hitch ball 207 and at a known distance 255 from aninterface portion 231 of the load measurement device 230. The fulcrumfeature 216 can therefore ensure that the fulcrum 250 formed by theinterface between the hitch portion 210 and the hitch receiver 202 is ata consistent and known location relative to the interface portion 231and the hitch ball 207, regardless of how far into the hitch receiver202 the hitch portion 210 is inserted (so long as the interface portion231 and the fulcrum feature 216 are within the hitch receiver 202),which can ensure accurate determinations of the downward force 251 onthe hitch ball 207.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 301 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with yet another example ofthe present disclosure, shown inserted into a hitch receiver 302. Theball mount 301 includes some similarities with other ball mountsdisclosed herein. For example, the ball mount 301 includes a hitchportion 310 for interfacing with the hitch receiver 302 and a loadmeasurement device 330 associated with the hitch portion 310 andconfigured to determine a magnitude of a downward force 351 on a hitchball 307.

In this case, the load measurement device 330 can include a reservoir332 associated with the hitch portion 310, as well as a fluid 333 and apiston 334, which can be disposed in the reservoir 332. The piston 334can be configured to interface with the hitch receiver 302 and affect apressure of the fluid 333 as a result of a downward force 351 on thehitch ball 307. For example, upon application of the downward force 351,the ball mount 301 can pivot on the hitch receiver 302 about a fulcrum350 formed by a fulcrum feature 316. The pivoting of the ball mount 301in direction 352 about the fulcrum 350 can cause the hitch portion 310to move upward in direction. This can cause the piston 334 to contact anupper interior surface or wall of the hitch receiver 302, which canforce the piston 334 to move in direction 335 within the reservoir 332,causing a pressure change in the fluid 333. In one aspect, the hitchportion 310 can be configured to facilitate the pivoting action aboutthe fulcrum 350, such as by having a taper at an angle 315 that tapersnarrower toward the location of the piston 334 to provide a rotationalrange of motion for the hitch portion 310 within the hitch receiver 302.It should be recognized that the reservoir 332 and piston 334 can belocated at any suitable location on the hitch portion 310 and configuredto facilitate contact of the piston 334 and the hitch receiver 302 atany suitable location. For example, the reservoir 332 and piston 334 canbe located at a forward end of the hitch portion 310, such as near aforward outer edge of the hitch receiver 302. In this case, a fulcrumcan be at an end of the hitch portion 310 within the hitch receiver 302.

Additionally, the load measurement device 330 can include a pressuresensor 336 in fluid communication with the reservoir, such as via aconduit 317. The pressure sensor 336 can be configured to indicate amagnitude of the downward force 351 based on the pressure of the fluid.In one aspect, the pressure sensor 336 can include a pressure gage thatis calibrated to mechanically indicate, such as with a dial readout, themagnitude of the downward force 351 acting on the hitch ball 307. Inanother aspect, the pressure sensor 336 can include a transducerconfigured to output an electrical signal based on the pressure of thefluid. The electrical signal can be received by a processor that candetermine the magnitude of the downward force 351 on the hitch ball 307based on the pressure represented by the electrical signal. Themagnitude of the downward force 351 can then be displayed, such as on anelectronic display.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 401 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with still another example ofthe present disclosure. The ball mount 401 includes some similaritieswith other ball mounts disclosed herein. For example, the ball mount 401includes a hitch portion 410 for interfacing with a hitch receiver(omitted for clarity) and a load measurement device 430 associated withthe hitch portion 410 and configured to determine a magnitude of adownward force on a hitch ball 407.

In this case, an interface portion 431 of the load measurement device430 can be located at a bottom side 414 of the hitch portion 410 and cantherefore be configured to contact a lower interior surface of the hitchreceiver. For example, as shown in the figure, the interface portion 431can be located at a proximal end 417 of the hitch portion 410 toward aball portion 420 of the ball mount 401. A fulcrum can therefore be at anend of the hitch portion 410 within the hitch receiver. For example,reference number 450 indicates a location on a top side 413 of a free ordistal end 418 of the hitch portion 410 that may form a fulcrum aboutwhich the ball mount 401 can pivot when a downward force is applied tothe hitch ball 407, thus causing a reaction force to be applied to theinterface portion 431 from the hitch receiver in response to thedownward force on the hitch ball 407. In one aspect, the interfaceportion 431 of the load measurement device 430 can act as a fulcrumuntil the ball mount pivots sufficient to engage or contact an upperinterior surface of the hitch receiver at location 450.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 501 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with a further example of thepresent disclosure. The ball mount 501 includes some similarities withother ball mounts disclosed herein. For example, the ball mount 501includes a hitch portion 510 for interfacing with a hitch receiver(omitted for clarity) and a load measurement device 530 associated withthe hitch portion 510 and configured to determine a magnitude of adownward force 551 on a hitch ball 507.

In this case, the load measurement device 530 can include a strain gage537 disposed on a surface 519 of the hitch portion 510. In one aspect,the strain gage 537 can be located on a recessed surface to prevent orminimize the likelihood of damage to the strain gage 537, such as wheninserting the hitch portion 510 into and removing the hitch portion 510from the hitch receiver. In response to the downward force 551 on thehitch ball 507, the ball mount 501 can pivot about a fulcrum 550, suchas formed by a fulcrum feature 516, at a bottom side 514 of a proximalend 517 of the hitch portion 510. A top side 513 of a free or distal end518 of the hitch portion 510 can contact an upper interior surface ofthe hitch receiver, identified by reference number 550, to resistrotation of the ball mount 501 and induce a load in the hitch portion510. The strain gage 537 can be configured to measure deformation of thehitch portion 510 at the outer surface 519, which can then be used todetermine the downward force on the hitch ball 507 that caused thedeformation. Although the strain gage 537 is shown located on an outersurface on a top side 513 of the hitch portion 510, it should berecognized that one or more strain gages can be located on any suitablesurface, such as on a bottom, a side, and/or an interior surface of thehitch portion 510.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a ball mount 601 for measuring tongue weightof a trailer, in accordance with another example of the presentdisclosure. The ball mount 601 includes some similarities with otherball mounts discussed above. For example, the ball mount 601 includes ahitch portion 610 for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated witha vehicle, and a ball portion 620, which can include a hitch ball 607configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount 601 alsoincludes a load measurement device 630 to determine a magnitude of adownward force 651 on the hitch ball 607. The load measurement device630 includes a reservoir 632 having a fluid 633 and a piston 634disposed therein. The piston 634 can affect a pressure of the fluid 633as a result of the downward load 651 on the hitch ball 607. The loadmeasurement device 630 also includes a pressure sensor 636, or gauge, influid communication with the reservoir 632, such as via a conduit 617,to indicate a quantity of the downward load 651 based on the pressure ofthe fluid. The pressure sensor 636 can be calibrated to indicate a loadacting on the hitch ball 607.

In the present embodiment, however, the load measurement device 630 isassociated with the ball portion 620. In one aspect, the ball mount 601includes a trailer tongue weight measuring portion 609 that includes thehitch ball 607 and the load measurement device 630. The hitch ball 607and the piston 634 are rigidly and mechanically coupled to one another,such that movement of the hitch ball 607 directly causes movement of thepiston 634. Thus, the hitch ball 607 is configured to exert a force onthe piston 634, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid 633 inresponse to the downward force 651 on the hitch ball 607. As a result,there is no need for an interface with a hitch receiver in order todetermine the load on the ball portion, as the hitch ball 607 can beconfigured to move as a result of the load and cause the piston 634 toincrease pressure of the fluid 633. In other words, the ball mount 601can be effective to measure a tongue weight of a trailer independent ofa hitch receiver.

With particular reference to FIG. 7B, the ball portion 620 can include asupport structure 660. The support structure 660 can define variousfeatures of the load measurement device 630 and can interface with andsupport the hitch ball 607. For example, the support structure 660 candefine, at least in part, the reservoir 632 and/or the conduit 617. Thesupport structure can also have a hitch ball opening 661 to receive alower portion 662 of the hitch ball 607 and facilitate the hitch ballexerting a force on the piston 634. The hitch ball opening 661 can beconfigured to constrain translational movement of the hitch ball 607 toa single degree of freedom (i.e., parallel to the downward force 651),which can facilitate the hitch ball 607 exerting a force on the piston634.

In one aspect, the hitch ball 607 can be captured and prevented fromunwanted separation from the support structure 660. For example, thehitch ball 607 can have a retention opening 663 in the lower portion 662that receives a retention pin 664 to facilitate capturing the hitch ball607 in the hitch ball opening 661. The retention pin 664 can be coupledto the support structure 660. The retention opening 663 and theretention pin 664 can be configured to facilitate movement of the hitchball 607 against the piston 634 in response to the downward force 651 onthe hitch ball. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, an upperclearance 665 between the retention pin 664 and the retention opening663 can be sized equal to or greater than an extension distance 666 ofthe piston 634 from the reservoir 632. This can ensure that theretention pin 664 will not hinder downward movement of the hitch ball607, which could interfere with a proper measurement of the downwardforce 651 on the hitch ball 607. The shapes and/or sizes of theretention pin 664 and the retention opening 663 can be of any suitableconfiguration (e.g., cross-sectional shapes that are circular, oval,elliptical, rectangular, etc.) or dimension. In addition, the retentionopening 663 and the retention pin 664 can be in any suitable location.Thus, although the location of the retention opening 663 and theretention pin 664 are shown in the figure as being laterally located ina middle portion of the hitch ball 607, it should be recognized that aretention opening and a retention pin can be located at a lateralexternal surface of the hitch ball 607, such as proximate a wall of thehitch ball opening 661. In one aspect illustrated in FIG. 7A, theretention pin 664 can be accessible from an exterior of the supportstructure 660 to facilitate removal of the retention pin and, thus, thehitch ball 607. The hitch ball 607 can therefore be interchanged withanother hitch ball having a different diameter ball to properly fit atrailer tongue or to replace a damaged hitch ball.

In one aspect, a display 640 for the pressure sensor or gauge can beincluded to indicate the magnitude of the load or downward force 651.Such a display can be located proximate the pressure sensor 636 orincluded with a gauge. It should be recognized that a display can bedisposed in any suitable location and can be in communication with thepressure sensor via any suitable means. For example, as shown in FIG.7A, the display 640 can be associated with the ball portion 620. Inanother example, a transmitter can be included to communicate themagnitude of the downward force 651 on the hitch ball 607 to a remotedisplay.

FIG. 8 illustrates a ball mount 701 for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with yet another example of the presentdisclosure. The ball mount 701 is similar in many respects with the ballmount 601 of FIGS. 7A and 7B discussed above. For example, the ballmount 701 includes a hitch portion 710 for interfacing with a hitchreceiver associated with a vehicle, and a ball portion 720, which caninclude a hitch ball 707 configured to couple with a tongue of atrailer. As shown in FIG. 9, the ball mount 701 also includes a loadmeasurement device 730 associated with the ball portion 720 to determinea magnitude of a downward force 751 on the hitch ball 707. The loadmeasurement device 730 includes a fluid reservoir 732, a piston 734, anda display 740 to indicate the magnitude of the load or downward force751 on the hitch ball 707 based on fluid pressure. The ball portion 720comprises a trailer tongue weight measuring portion 709 that includesthe hitch ball 707 and the load measurement device 730. The presentembodiment, however, includes features and structure that facilitate avertical height adjustment of the ball portion 720. These features canbe used, for example, to position the hitch ball 707 at a suitableheight for engaging a trailer when a hitch receiver on the tow vehiclewould otherwise be too high.

With reference to FIGS. 8-10B, the ball mount 701 can include a verticalmember 729, coupled between the hitch portion 710 and the ball portion720, configured to allow adjustment of a height of the ball portion 720with respect to the hitch portion 710 in direction 759. The ball mount710 can therefore include multiple separable components in aheight-adjustable device. The height of the ball portion 720 can beadjustable with respect to the hitch portion 710 utilizing a heightadjustment mechanism 770. The height adjustment mechanism 770 caninclude height adjustment openings 771 in the vertical member 729. Theheight adjustment mechanism 770 can also include two or more heightadjustment pin openings 772 a, 772 b in the ball portion 720. Inaddition, the height adjustment mechanism 770 can include two or moreheight adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b removably extendable at leastpartially through the height adjustment pin openings 772 a, 772 b in theball portion 720 and the height adjustment openings 771 in the verticalmember 729. In one aspect, the height adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b canbe coupled to one another via a connecting member 774. The connectingmember 774 can therefore facilitate simultaneous insertion or removal ofthe height adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b.

The use of multiple height adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b can achievesufficient strength in a smaller diameter than is possible with only asingle pin. The size of the openings 771 in the vertical member 729 cantherefore be smaller, which affects the strength of the vertical member729 and contributes to a smaller cross-section. The use of multipleheight adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b can also reduce relative movement ofthe ball portion 720 and the vertical member 729, thus contributing tomore accurate tongue weight measurements.

In use, the height adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b can be removed from atleast the height adjustment openings 771 in the vertical member 729, andthe ball portion 720 can be moved vertically in direction 759. Once adesired height of the hitch ball 707 is achieved, the height adjustmentpins 773 a, 773 b can be inserted into the nearest acceptable adjustmentopenings 771 through the respective height adjustment pin openings 772a, 772 b to fix the relative position of the ball portion 720 and thevertical member 729 and complete the height adjustment of the hitch ball707.

As with the ball mount 601 discussed above, the ball portion 720 of theball mount 701 can include a support structure 760 that can definevarious features of the load measurement device 730 and can interfacewith and support the hitch ball 707. In addition, the support structure760 can be configured to interface with the vertical member 729. Forexample, the vertical member 729 and the support structure 760 can beconfigured with complementary geometries to facilitate a stableengagement of the vertical member 729 and the support structure 760 whencoupled to one another via the height adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b, asdiscussed above. As shown in FIG. 10A, the vertical member 729 can havean I-shaped cross-section and the support structure 760 (i.e., the ballportion 720) can have a C-shaped cross-sectional portion to mate withand engage at least a portion of the I-shaped cross-section of thevertical member 729. Such an interface configuration can providetorsional stability for mating vertical member 729 and ball portion 720components of the ball mount 701. In one aspect, the height adjustmentpin openings 772 a, 772 b can be formed in the support structure 760.

The ball mount 701 can also include features and structure to preventunwanted removal of the height adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b from theadjustment openings 771 in the vertical member 729 and the heightadjustment pin openings 772 a, 772 b in the ball portion 720. Forexample, a clip or pin 775 can be secured to an end of a heightadjustment pin, such as the pin 773 b as illustrated in the figures. Inanother example, a lock 776 can be associated with the connecting member774. The ball portion 720 (i.e., the support structure 760) can includea receptacle 777 for the lock 776 that can facilitate securing andreleasing the lock 776 to the ball portion 720. This can prevent removalof the height adjustment pins 773 a, 773 b from the height adjustmentpin openings 772 a, 772 b in the ball portion 720 and the heightadjustment openings 771 in the vertical member 729, and therebypreventing unwanted separation of the ball portion 720 from the verticalmember 729, which can deter theft of the ball portion 720.

As with the ball mount 601 discussed above, the hitch ball 707 of theball mount 701 can be captured and prevented from unwanted separationfrom the support structure 760. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the hitch ball707 can have a retention opening 763 in a lower portion 662 of the hitchball 707 that receives a retention pin 764 to facilitate capturing thehitch ball 707. The retention opening 763 and the retention pin 764 canbe configured to provide a clearance to facilitate movement of the hitchball 707 against the piston 734 in response to the downward force 751 onthe hitch ball and ensure that the retention pin 764 will not hinderdownward movement of the hitch ball 707. As mentioned above, the supportstructure 760 can be configured to interface with the vertical member729. In one aspect, the retention pin 764 can be oriented with an end767 of the pin proximate the vertical member 729, such that theretention pin is hidden from view when the ball portion 720 is coupledto the vertical member. This can provide a “clean” look for the ballmount 701 that is aesthetically pleasing compared to an “exposed” pin.The retention pin 764 can be accessible upon separating the ball portion720 from the vertical member 729. A ring 768 or other suitable graspingfeature can facilitate removal of the pin 764 from the ball portion(i.e., the support structure 760) to replace or interchange the hitchball 707.

In one aspect, illustrated in FIG. 11, the ball portion 720 can beremoved and reversed from its typical towing configuration and coupledto the vertical member 729 in a storage configuration, which canposition the ball portion 720 in a more protected location. Suchreversibility can be made possible by the interface between the supportstructure 760 and the vertical member 729, which can be symmetric onopposite (i.e., front and back) sides. For example, the I-shapedcross-section of the vertical member 729 is symmetric on opposite sides,which facilitates “flipping” the ball portion to the opposite side intothe storage configuration.

FIG. 12 illustrates ball mount 801 with a brace in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure. The ball mount can include a hitchportion 810 for interfacing with a hitch receiver 802 associated with avehicle. The hitch receiver 802 can be any typical hitch receiver, asdiscussed above. The hitch portion 810 and the hitch receiver 802 can becoupled or secured to one another in any suitable manner, such as with apin or threaded fastener through holes 806, 812 in the hitch receiver802 and the hitch portion 810, respectively. A hitch ball 807 caninterface with or otherwise be coupled to the ball portion 820. Thehitch ball 807 is configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. Theball portion 820 can be configured to couple to the hitch ball 807 inany suitable manner, such as with a threaded coupling, a clearance holefor a threaded fastener, or other removably coupling, or with a weld orother a permanent coupling.

In one aspect, the ball mount 801 can include the ability to measure thetongue weight of a trailer to which the ball mount is coupled.Accordingly, features and structures for measuring tongue weight of atrailer can be included, such as a load measurement device associatedwith the ball portion 820 as discussed hereinabove.

The ball mount 801 can also include a vertical member 829 which connectsthe hitch portion 810 to the ball portion 820. In one aspect, thevertical member 829 can allow adjustment of the height of the ballportion 820 with respect to the hitch portion 810. Any number ofsuitable mechanisms for adjusting the height of the ball portion 820along the vertical member 829 may be used, such as tongue-in-groove,locking pins, etc. For example, as shown in the figure, the ball mount801 can include a height adjustment mechanism 870, as discussed abovewith respect to FIGS. 8-11. It should be recognized, however, that theball portion 820 need not be height adjustable and may be verticallyoffset by the vertical member 829 and permanently fixed relative to thehitch portion 810.

The ball mount 801 can also include a brace 880 connected between adistal end 816 of the hitch portion 810 and a bottom end 817 of thevertical member 829. The brace 880 can be coupled at each end using anynumber of mechanisms such as pins, screws, etc. As shown in FIG. 12, thebrace 880 is coupled to the hitch portion 810 and the vertical member829 using pins 818, which can be prevented from unwanted removal byclips or pins 819.

FIG. 12 shows the ball mount 801 engaged with the hitch receiver 802. Inuse, the hitch portion 810 of the ball mount 801 is engaged with thehitch receiver 802 in a typical manner by sliding the hitch portion 810through an opening in the hitch receiver 802 until the holes 806, 812 inthe hitch receiver 802 and the hitch portion 810, respectively, alignwith one another. The hitch portion 810 of the ball mount 801 is thensecured to the hitch receiver 802 using a standard pin or otherfastening mechanism. Once the hitch portion 810 of the ball mount 801 issecurely engaged with the hitch receiver 802, the brace 880 can beconnected to the distal end 816 of the hitch portion 810. If not alreadyconnected to the bottom end 817 of the vertical member 829, suchconnection can also be made.

A number of suitable configurations may be used at the bottom end 817 ofthe vertical member 829 and the distal end 816 of the hitch portion 810in order to aid in securing the brace 880 thereto. As illustrated inFIG. 13, for example, the bottom end 817 of the vertical member 829 mayhave a tongue or tenon 881 protruding from a backside thereof. The brace880 can have a corresponding slot or groove 882 into which the tenon 881fits, and holes in both pieces can accommodate the insertion of the pins818, or any other fastener pre-designed for such purpose. Similarly, thedistal end 816 of the hitch portion 810 may be narrow to alsoeffectively form a vertically oriented tongue or tenon and allow thebrace 880 to engage and couple to the distal end 816 in a similarmanner. It should be recognized that the brace 880 can include a tongueor tenon and the hitch portion 810 and/or the vertical member 829 caninclude a corresponding slot or groove into which the tenon fits. Inaddition, the brace 880 can have a bend 883 or angle to facilitateattachment to the distal end 816 of the hitch portion 810. The brace 880can be removable to facilitate removal of the ball mount 801 from thehitch receiver 802.

The brace 880 can stabilize and/or strengthen the ball mount 801 whenengaged with the hitch receiver 802 and the tongue of a trailer. Whilethe vertically offset feature provided by the general design of the ballmount 801 is advantageous for accommodating a trailer with a tongueheight that differs from the height of the hitch receiver 802, it hasbeen discovered that such designs are comparatively weak and susceptibleto potential failure as compared to traditional ball mounts that do nothave such vertical offsets. Addition of the brace 880 fortifies the ballmount 801 against over exertion of downward and rearward forces whileengaged with and/or pulling a trailer. Although a ball mount type hitchhas been illustrated and discussed, it should be recognized that thebrace 880 can be utilized with any suitable type of hitch that includesa vertical offset provided by a vertical member, similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 12.

In one aspect, the present disclosure can provide a method of measuringtongue weight of a trailer. The method can include obtaining a hitchreceiver associated with a vehicle. The method can also includeobtaining a trailer having a tongue for coupling the trailer to thevehicle. The method can further include obtaining a ball mount having aball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with the tongue ofthe trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with the hitch receiver,and a load measurement device associated with the ball portion todetermine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball, the loadmeasurement device including a reservoir having a fluid and a pistondisposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with thereservoir, wherein the hitch ball is configured to exert a force on thepiston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to thedownward force on the hitch ball. The method can still further includeengaging the tongue of the trailer with the hitch ball. Additionally,the method can include observing the magnitude of the downward force ona display. In one aspect, the method can further comprise coupling abrace between a distal end of the hitch portion of the ball mount and abottom end of a vertical member thereof.

Of course, it is to be understood that the above-described arrangementsare only illustrative of the application of the principles of thepresent invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangementsmay be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims areintended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while thepresent invention has been described above with particularity and detailin connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical andpreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, butnot limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing fromthe principles and concepts set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, comprising: a ball portion having a hitch ball configured tocouple with a tongue of a trailer, the hitch ball having a retentionopening, a support structure having a hitch ball opening that receives alower portion of the hitch ball and facilitates vertical movement of thehitch ball within the hitch ball opening in response to a downward forceon the hitch ball, and a retention pin coupled to the support structureand received within the retention opening to capture the hitch ball inthe hitch ball opening and secure the hitch ball to the supportstructure, wherein the retention opening and the retention pin areconfigured to facilitate vertical movement of the hitch ball in responseto the downward force on the hitch ball; a hitch portion for interfacingwith a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle; a load measurementdevice in the support structure to determine a magnitude of the downwardforce on the hitch ball; and a display on the support structureconfigured to display the amount of downward force on the hitch ball. 2.The ball mount of claim 1, further comprising a vertical member coupledbetween the hitch portion and the ball portion configured to allowadjustment of a height of the ball portion with respect to the hitchportion.
 3. The ball mount of claim 2, wherein the height of the ballportion is adjustable with respect to the hitch portion utilizing aheight adjustment mechanism, the height adjustment mechanism comprising:a plurality of height adjustment openings in the vertical member; atleast two height adjustment pin openings in the ball portion; and atleast two height adjustment pins removably extendable at least partiallythrough the at least two height adjustment pin openings in the ballportion and the plurality of height adjustment openings in the verticalmember.
 4. The ball mount of claim 3, wherein at least two heightadjustment pins are coupled to one another via a connecting member. 5.The ball mount of claim 4, further comprising a lock associated with theconnecting member to secure the connecting member to the ball portionand prevent removal of the at least two height adjustment pins from theat least two height adjustment pin openings in the ball portion and theplurality of height adjustment openings in the vertical member, therebypreventing unwanted separation of the ball portion from the verticalmember.
 6. The ball mount of claim 1, wherein the load measurementdevice comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, a load cell, atransducer, or a strain gage.
 7. The ball mount of claim 2, wherein thesupport structure is configured to interface with the vertical memberand the retention pin is oriented with an end of the pin proximate thevertical member such that the retention pin is hidden from view when theball portion is coupled to the vertical member.
 8. The ball mount ofclaim 7, wherein the retention pin is accessible upon separating theball portion from the vertical member.
 9. The ball mount of claim 2,further comprising a brace coupled between the hitch portion and thevertical member.
 10. The ball mount of claim 9, wherein the brace iscoupled to a distal end of the hitch portion and a bottom end of thevertical member.
 11. The ball mount of claim 9, wherein the brace isremovably coupled to a distal end of the hitch portion, a bottom end ofthe vertical member, or both.
 12. The ball mount of claim 9, wherein adistal end of the hitch portion terminates in a tenon that engages aslot in a corresponding end of the brace.
 13. The ball mount of claim 9,wherein a bottom end of the vertical member includes a tenon on a backside thereof which engages a slot in a corresponding end of the brace.14. The ball mount of claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor is a pressuregauge.
 15. The ball mount of claim 6, wherein the pressure sensorincludes a transducer.
 16. The ball mount of claim 15, furthercomprising a processor configured to receive an electrical signal fromthe transducer.
 17. The ball mount of claim 1, wherein the loadmeasurement device comprises: a reservoir having a fluid and a pistondisposed therein; and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with thereservoir, wherein the hitch ball is configured to exert a force on thepiston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to thedownward force on the hitch ball.
 18. The ball mount of claim 6, whereinthe load cell comprises at least one of a mechanical load cell, ahydraulic load cell, or a pneumatic load cell.
 19. The ball mount ofclaim 7, wherein the retention pin comprises a grasping feature tofacilitate removal of the pin.
 20. The ball mount of claim 19, whereinthe grasping feature comprises a ring.
 21. The ball mount of claim 7,wherein the support structure comprises a recess configured toaccommodate a head of the retention pin.
 22. The ball mount of claim 21,wherein the retention pin comprises a grasping feature to facilitateremoval of the pin, and the recess is configured to accommodate thegrasping feature.
 23. The ball mount of claim 22, wherein the graspingfeature comprises a ring.
 24. The ball mount of claim 1, wherein theretention pin extends through the hitch ball into a socket formed in thesupport member.
 25. The ball mount of claim 24, wherein the socket is ablind recess in the support member that does not extend through to anexterior of the support member.
 26. The ball mount of claim 1, whereinthe retention pin is located closer to a bottom side of the retentionopening than to a top side of the retention opening in the absence ofthe downward force on the hitch ball.